My best friend, her mother, and some of her family members came to Virginia Beach on a mini-vacation earlier this month. She was looking for a nice hotel that was on the oceanfront. Do you know which hotels did not get considered? The ones that did not have a presence on a mobile and/or travel website.

Here’s the honest truth: it is being increasingly difficult for travelers to find YOU if you’re not present in mobile media. Hotels that do have a mobile media presence make it easier for prospective customers to find them. In this current technological landscape, consumers want information fast and easy. And they can find you by turning on their smartphone and opening an app, you’ve made the first crucial step toward having them to pick you as their hotel of choice.

If you haven’t registered for “Are You Smarter Than Your Smartphone: Fuel Your Mobile Sales,” you definitely need to do so ASAP. You can’t afford for your hotel to lose customers simply because you didn’t attend a necessary seminar that would aide you in getting into customers’ pockets and purses (meaning their mobile phones, of course 🙂 ).

Register now for “Are You Smarter Than Your Smartphone: Fuel Your Mobile Sales” by clicking here.

The technology industry is ever evolving. And the hospitality industry must evolve with it in order to keep up with the needs and demands of consumers. If you’re not with the current trends, you’re against them–or worse yet, you’re not even a part of the advancing technological equation. And if you’re not a part of the advancing technological equation, you become a “non-factor” to your customers and your potential consumers. And what happens to non-factors? Non-Growth, Non-Bookings, and (ultimately) Non-Sales happen to non-factors. Although those phrases may be grammatically incorrect, they embody an eventual truth–if consumers don’t know you exist, how will they be able to book with you and use your services? The short answer is–they won’t. If you’re not present in mobile media, you can’t be the most effective in the hospitality marketplace.

And even if you are current with the technology this month, if you don’t stay updated on the trends, next month you’ll be lagging behind. As I said before, technology is advancing. And it is advancing at a rapid pace.

Did you know that mobile phones now account for 10% of all bookings? As technology evolves, your job will be dependent upon you understanding how smart devices work within the industry and your application of that knowledge.

If you aren’t aware of what’s happening in mobile media, or even if you are aware of the current media changes that impact your industry, there’s an upcoming event that you need to attend. “Are You Smarter Than Your Smartphone? Fuel Your Mobile Sales” is an informative must for anyone who counts him or herself as a staple in the hospitality industry. At this April 26th event, VHSMP and HSMAI together will share:

-What apps are best for marketing your property.

-How apps can increase loyalty.

-How to manage contacts and distribute important information.

Again, this event is on April 26th from 3:00pm–5:00pm. It will take place at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel. There will be a social hour afterward for you to network and learn more.

46% of US mobile phone owners have a smartphone as of Q4 2011
41.8% of US mobile subscribers have smartphones
400,000 iPhone apps and 300,000 Android apps

The statistics are startling. The pace of adoption of these new technologies is unprecedented. And mobile now accounts for 10% of all bookings.Meeting professionals are now using specialized apps for RFP’s, event management, event marketing, and contacting hotel sales departments.

Do you have a smartphone? What should you consider when purchasing a smart device? What apps should you use? How do apps help me increase my sales? How can I use apps to promote my F&B outlets?

Understanding smart devices and using apps will soon be a mandatory function of your job (if it isn’t already) and could possibly even be required to land a job.

Get the answers to these questions and become an expert on these technologies to further your career and improve your sales and marketing effectiveness.

319 blog entries about mobile marketing in Google Reader in one day, January 5, 2011

And then there is the iPhone app market (does not include iPad, Droid, or other mobile app platforms)

The statistics are startling; even frightening especially if you are feeling less than adequately educated about mobile marketing. Mobile is here. And we’ve got the programming to make sure you are ready.

1. Do I need an app?

2. What is the difference between an app and a mobile site?

3. How do I integrate my mobile strategy with my social media strategy to drive more room nights and revenue?

One of the industries foremost experts, Bryan Bruce, will be answering these types of questions and much more at our January 13 luncheon. It is timely and valuable. Do not miss it.